A vow to ‘struggle, resist:’ Church gathering’s aim is to ‘save democracy’
NORTHAMPTON — Voices of anger and defiance thundered inside the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence Saturday as people gathered to resist what they are calling autocracy and fascism pushed by President Donald Trump.
"All of us see the damage being done, the disappearing people, the hate and violence supported by the politically powerful, and we won't abide it," said interim minister the Rev. Eric Cherry, who spoke from the pulpit.
"We will struggle, resist and refuse to cooperate until there is a return simply to normalcy and fairness in America," he continued.
This was not a protest outside a defense contractor or military installation. Dozens of people gathered in the church, learning how to "save democracy" through what they called non-violence and non-cooperation.
The Rev. Eric Cherry speaks to people at Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence about non-violently standing up to threats to democracy.Staasi Heropoulos / Special to The Republican
"That means we are going to get in the way of fascist, anti-democratic efforts without using violence. We will become obstacles to the undemocratic processes. This is about training people to do that with courage," Cherry told The Republican in an interview.
It was as though attendees had come to a workshop on how to protest and what to say. There was even a break-out session to discuss ideas, like holding rallies, boycotts and vigils.
Indivisible Northampton-Swing Left Western Mass and USNF co-hosted the event.
"Trump and his lackeys are ignoring the law. They are not spending money they're required to spend because it has been passed by Congress," said co-organizer Beth Lev.
"They're strong arming our institutions such as our schools, EPA and Department of Justice, which are all supposed to run independent of the president. That's the definition of an autocrat," she continued.
Before the gathering began, Michael Taylor handed out flyers promoting a "Sing for Justice" event later this month where those who attend will "build solidarity" and learn songs they can sing at protests.
"Songs are key for uplifting our spirits and tie us to the roots of other resistance movements. Community working together gives me hope. What scares me is when divisions are sowed to tear us apart," said Taylor.
On the rainbow of political labels, Massachusetts is considered a blue state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation and a governor firmly on the left. Events such as USNF's in liberal Northampton may be seen as preaching to the choir, but Lev believes sometimes the singers need to be reinvigorated.
"Not everybody in this blue bubble, in this blue state is so blue, and not everybody who is blue knows what to do. Helping people channel their beliefs and feelings is important. You need to preach to the choir. The choir is what sings and gets people to realize there is something wrong and there's something they can do about it," she said.
President Donald Trump has been deploying the military across the country to fight crime, according to the administration. Protestors say this militarization of crime-fighting is increasingly prompting veterans to join their ranks and sound the alarm.
John Paradis is a retired Lieutenant Colonel who served in the Air Force from 1989-2009. He said he was a nuclear missile launch officer for part of his tenure. Now he is fielding calls from concerned family and friends.Staasi Heropoulos / Special to The Republican
John Paradis is a retired lieutenant colonel who served in the Air Force from 1989 to 2009. He said he was a nuclear missile launch officer for part of his tenure. Now he is fielding calls from concerned family and friends.
"People are afraid. They're wondering how the military is going to react to the potential of receiving an unlawful order," he said.
Paradis sat near the back of the church, listening intently to people alarmed by the prospect of a constitutional or military crisis.
"These officers have been trained, and I believe in my heart, they will do the right thing in keeping to the oaths they took," he said. "That oath is to swear to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
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